This plan splits three days between Ubud, the temples to its east, and the south of the island. Each day has named stops, entry prices where known, and a way to get there. Costs are in Indonesian rupiah (IDR or Rp).
Quick plan overview
Bali has no public transportation system, so plan your rides first. A car with driver, a rented scooter, or the Gojek and Grab apps are the main options. For sightseeing days, a car with driver is the easiest choice.
Entry fees are listed with each stop below. Adult prices are used throughout.
Day 1: Ubud palace, art and monkeys
Start at your Ubud base. Take a Gojek or Grab ride, or hire a driver for the day.
Begin at Ubud Palace, which is free to enter. Nearby you will find Puri Saren and the Ubud art market. Walk next to Puri Lukisan Museum on Jl Raya Ubud.
Day 2: Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi
This is a temple day. Hire a car with driver from your Ubud stay.
First stop is Goa Gajah on Jalan Goa Gajah. It is open 08:00 to 16:00, and adults pay Rp 50,000 with a sarong included. Next, go to Tampaksiring for Gunung Kawi.
Tirta Empul is listed close to Gunung Kawi, so ask your driver to add it. Dress with care at each site. Over 80% of residents practice Balinese Hinduism, so be respectful at temples.
Day 3: Nusa Dua, Pandawa Beach and Garuda Wisnu Kencana
Today you head south. Book a car with driver from your hotel, or use a Grab car. Cars on the ride apps run around $3-7+ for longer trips.
Start at Museum Pasifika in Blok P, BTDC. It is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and costs Rp 70,000. Nusa Dua Beach is listed beside it. Nusa Dua is quieter than most Bali beaches, with restaurants, bars and a shopping mall.
Then visit Pandawa Beach. Finish at Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a cultural park on the Bukit Peninsula in Ungasan. It is open Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 22:00. The late hours make it a good last stop before dinner.
Getting around and airport transfer
Pre-arrange your airport ride. The airport can be chaotic, and some shady transport services target new visitors. A private transfer runs between Denpasar International Airport (DPS) and Bali hotels. A sedan seats up to three people and a van up to six.
Prices depend on the zone. The fee is IDR 500,000 for Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran and Denpasar.
Scooters suit confident riders. The guide does not recommend a self-drive car. For short hops, a bike taxi on the apps costs less than $2.
Budget for 3 days
Start with the fixed fees. The Visa on Arrival costs IDR 500,000, and the Bali Tourist Levy is IDR 150,000 per person. You can pay the levy online at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before you arrive.
Food varies widely. At local warungs, plan IDR 150k-250k a day. Mixing in cafes takes it to IDR 300k-600k. Travel insurance costs around USD $50 – $150+ per person.
Add the entry fees listed in the three days above. Then add your airport transfer and a driver for the two sightseeing days. Where you sleep is the biggest variable, and this plan leaves that choice to you.
Making the plan work
Three days is enough for Ubud, the eastern temples and the southern coast. Your main costs are the stay, the driver and the airport transfer.
Keep each day in one area to avoid long drives. Pick a hotel based on the day you most want to enjoy.
Opening hours, prices and visiting details: Bali Museum, Agung Rai Museum of Art.